Explosive charge: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has the power to decide whether terror attacks continue and is renewing the 'cycle of violence’ with his targeted assassination policy in order to turn attention away from other issues, Labor party leader Amir Peretz’s campaign manager Motti Morel charges.
"We had a few months of calm, but in recent weeks Israel boosted the rate of assassinations,” Morel said. “They said the calm is over. In other words: The prime minister has the ability to decide if there will be terrorist attacks here or not."
"Wednesday night, Ynet's main headline was that the Air Force is preparing for a Gaza operation. The sub header read: 'Sderot is preparing for Qassam rockets after the assassinations,” Morel added. “In other words: After assassinations, there are terror attacks. More assassinations equal more attacks."
Later in the day, Peretz issued a special statement in response to the controversial comments in an attempt to distance himself from Morel’s remarks.
“Motti Morel’s remarks represent his views only,” the statement read. “Security is an issue that enjoys a consensus and I would not agree to turn it into a part of political disagreements.”
'Wag the dog'
Morel charged the prime minister with creating a 'security spin,' saying: "When he doesn't have any answers to social problems, he can always 'put the pedal to the metal' so there will be attacks - and the issue (on the public agenda) will then be security. He can decide if there will be attacks."
"I assume Sharon's people also saw the film 'Wag the dog.' They are making war in order to deflect attention. Every campaigner knows the film, and it's turning into reality before our eyes,” Morel said.
In recent weeks, Labor party sources said the prime minister is able to set the security agenda, and therefore enjoys a clear advantage over Peretz. The sources complained that Sharon's aides can ensure that newspaper headlines will focus on the Iranian nuclear threat and terrorism instead of poverty reports and social gaps.
As expected, Kadima party officials are furious over the remarks. Kadima public relations manager Lior Horev said: "Peretz is dangerous to Israel. Only a deluded party, a lame and irresponsible leadership, could allow a campaigns manager to dare accuse the prime minister of encouraging terrorist attacks."
He added: "In recent years, spineless politicians have leeched off everything. It seems that this morning, Morel and Peretz crossed all the red lines and started to try and exploit the blood of terror victims, and to prophesize attacks. As long as Peretz does not fire this deluded advisor, the disgrace of Morel's foolish and reckless words will stick to the Labor leader."
"Amir Peretz has never been in charge of anything of national importance, and has never dealt with the defense and the security of the citizens of Israel," Horev said.
First published: 11:01, 12.15.5